Thinkfinity Lesson Plans

Title: Where Do Your Possessions Come From?
Description:
In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students learn about the activities involved in producing their own belongings and gain an understanding of and appreciation for the Earth's natural resources. In the process, they may become more conscious consumers.
Standard(s):

Subject: Social Studies - Economics - Social Studies - GeographyTitle: Where Do Your Possessions Come From?Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students learn about the activities involved in producing their own belongings and gain an understanding of and appreciation for the Earth's natural resources. In the process, they may become more conscious consumers.Thinkfinity Partner: National Geographic EducationGrade Span: 6,7,8

Title: Spice World
Description:
In this Xpeditions student activity, students create a map showing the origins of the spices and herbs that help flavor their favorite dishes. Related activities for parents to do with their children are also found on this page.
Standard(s): [SS2010] LWT2 (2) 6: Identify states, continents, oceans, and the equator using maps, globes, and technology.

Subject: Science - Meteorology - Social Studies - GeographyTitle: Spice WorldDescription: In this Xpeditions student activity, students create a map showing the origins of the spices and herbs that help flavor their favorite dishes. Related activities for parents to do with their children are also found on this page.Thinkfinity Partner: National Geographic EducationGrade Span: K,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12

Title: Raise the Flag for the European Union
Description:
In this Xpeditions student activity, students research the countries of the European Union (EU) and use this knowledge--along with their creativity--to create a flag for the EU. This activity asks students to consider the physical and cultural characteristics of member countries, existing maps, and other background information in order to come up with an appropriate combination of symbols to represent the EU member countries.
Standard(s): [SS2010] GEOG (7) 6: Illustrate how primary, secondary, and tertiary economic activities have specific functions and spatial patterns.

Subject: Social Studies - Current Events/Issues - Social Studies - Geography - Social Studies - World HistoryTitle: Raise the Flag for the European UnionDescription: In this Xpeditions student activity, students research the countries of the European Union (EU) and use this knowledge--along with their creativity--to create a flag for the EU. This activity asks students to consider the physical and cultural characteristics of member countries, existing maps, and other background information in order to come up with an appropriate combination of symbols to represent the EU member countries.Thinkfinity Partner: National Geographic EducationGrade Span: K,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12

Title: Cultural Symbols and the Characteristics of Place
Description:
This Xpeditions lesson explores how the cultures of ancient and modern people are reflected in their cultural symbols. Students compile a series of photographs that show buildings, structures, or statues that represent a city, place, or region.
Standard(s):

Subject: Social Studies - Geography - Social Studies - United States History - Social Studies - World HistoryTitle: Cultural Symbols and the Characteristics of PlaceDescription: This Xpeditions lesson explores how the cultures of ancient and modern people are reflected in their cultural symbols. Students compile a series of photographs that show buildings, structures, or statues that represent a city, place, or region.Thinkfinity Partner: National Geographic EducationGrade Span: 6,7,8

Title: Culture in the Cupboard
Description:
This Xpeditions lesson helps students identify some of the cultures new to their part of the world and to understand more about cultural diffusion. They analyze items found in each other's cupboards and closets to determine what the items reveal about the residents cultural heritage.
Standard(s):

Subject: Social Studies - Geography - Social Studies - United States History - Social Studies - World HistoryTitle: Culture in the CupboardDescription: This Xpeditions lesson helps students identify some of the cultures new to their part of the world and to understand more about cultural diffusion. They analyze items found in each other's cupboards and closets to determine what the items reveal about the residents cultural heritage.Thinkfinity Partner: National Geographic EducationGrade Span: 6,7,8

Title: The Shape of Things to Come
Description:
In this Xpeditions lesson, students explore the shapes of countries around the world. Encouraging students to attend to the shapes of countries helps them to interpret the elements of conflict and cooperation in historical and current events, to increase the sophistication of their mental maps, and to weigh the significance of a country's relative location.
Standard(s):

Subject: Social Studies - Economics - Social Studies - Geography - Social Studies - United States HistoryTitle: The Shape of Things to ComeDescription: In this Xpeditions lesson, students explore the shapes of countries around the world. Encouraging students to attend to the shapes of countries helps them to interpret the elements of conflict and cooperation in historical and current events, to increase the sophistication of their mental maps, and to weigh the significance of a country's relative location.Thinkfinity Partner: National Geographic EducationGrade Span: 6,7,8

Title: The Quest for Gold
Description:
In this Xpeditions student activity, students discover the value of gold, which has been important to trading throughout time. Students use an interactive map and make trade decisions as they take on the role of a Roman trader following the Silk Road en route to China.
Standard(s): [SS2010] WH8 (8) 6: Trace the expansion of the Roman Republic and its transformation into an empire, including key geographic, political, and economic elements.

Subject: Science - Geology - Science - Physical Sciences - Social Studies - Economics - Social Studies - GeographyTitle: The Quest for GoldDescription: In this Xpeditions student activity, students discover the value of gold, which has been important to trading throughout time. Students use an interactive map and make trade decisions as they take on the role of a Roman trader following the Silk Road en route to China.Thinkfinity Partner: National Geographic EducationGrade Span: K,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12

Title: Mapping the Past
Description:
This EDSITEment lesson provides students with experience in working with historical maps as cultural artifacts that reflect the views of particular times and places. They trace the evolving world view from medieval times through the Renaissance as recorded in maps of those eras, investigate how cultural assumptions influenced the process of mapping the American West, and discover what present-day maps can tell us about our world view and cultural aspirations.
Standard(s): [SS2010] WH8 (8) 17: Explain how events and conditions fostered political and economic changes in the late Middle Ages and led to the origins of the Renaissance.

Subject: Language Arts,Social StudiesTitle: Mapping the PastDescription: This EDSITEment lesson provides students with experience in working with historical maps as cultural artifacts that reflect the views of particular times and places. They trace the evolving world view from medieval times through the Renaissance as recorded in maps of those eras, investigate how cultural assumptions influenced the process of mapping the American West, and discover what present-day maps can tell us about our world view and cultural aspirations.Thinkfinity Partner: EDSITEmentGrade Span: 6,7,8

Title: Marco Polo
Description:
In this Xpeditions student activity, students retrace the steps of Marco Polo and discover what they can learn from the cultures they encounter along the way. They also consider what they might take home to share with friends and family.
Standard(s): [SS2010] WH8 (8) 16: Describe major cultural changes in Western Europe in the High Middle Ages (1000-1300 A.D.).

Subject: Social Studies - Geography - Social Studies - World HistoryTitle: Marco PoloDescription: In this Xpeditions student activity, students retrace the steps of Marco Polo and discover what they can learn from the cultures they encounter along the way. They also consider what they might take home to share with friends and family.Thinkfinity Partner: National Geographic EducationGrade Span: K,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12

Title: Fast Food Around the World
Description:
In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students use the Internet or the library to research the cultures of four other countries. Research results are then compiled into a plan for a fast-food restaurant in each of the countries, tailoring the restaurant to the cultural tastes of people in those countries.
Standard(s):

Subject: Social Studies - Current Events/Issues - Social Studies - GeographyTitle: Fast Food Around the WorldDescription: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students use the Internet or the library to research the cultures of four other countries. Research results are then compiled into a plan for a fast-food restaurant in each of the countries, tailoring the restaurant to the cultural tastes of people in those countries.Thinkfinity Partner: National Geographic EducationGrade Span: 6,7,8

Title: Pirate Archaeology
Description:
This Xpeditions lesson has students read and answer questions about pirates and the areas where piracy was the most common. They gain an understanding of where pirates worked and what their motivations were. The lesson asks students to consider where they might look for sunken pirate ships and what they would expect to find on such ships. To conclude, students pretend to be historians seeking funding for expeditions to search for pirate ships, and write up their plans.
Standard(s):

Subject: Social Studies - Geography - Social Studies - World HistoryTitle: Pirate ArchaeologyDescription: This Xpeditions lesson has students read and answer questions about pirates and the areas where piracy was the most common. They gain an understanding of where pirates worked and what their motivations were. The lesson asks students to consider where they might look for sunken pirate ships and what they would expect to find on such ships. To conclude, students pretend to be historians seeking funding for expeditions to search for pirate ships, and write up their plans.Thinkfinity Partner: National Geographic EducationGrade Span: 6,7,8

Title: Products Across Borders
Description:
In this Xpeditions lesson, students identify foreign products available in the United States and learn about U.S. companies that sell products abroad. They discuss globalization and illustrate two maps to show where products come from and where they're sold.
Standard(s):

Subject: Social Studies - Economics - Social Studies - GeographyTitle: Products Across BordersDescription: In this Xpeditions lesson, students identify foreign products available in the United States and learn about U.S. companies that sell products abroad. They discuss globalization and illustrate two maps to show where products come from and where they're sold.Thinkfinity Partner: National Geographic EducationGrade Span: 6,7,8

Title: The Pros and Cons of Transnational Alliances
Description:
This Xpeditions lesson asks students to consider the potential impacts of transnational organizations such as the United Nations and the European Union. Students consider the benefits of these organizations in existing nations and for a fictitious nation that is trying to decide whether to join an alliance of countries on its continent.
Standard(s):

Subject: Social Studies - Current Events/Issues - Social Studies - GeographyTitle: The Pros and Cons of Transnational AlliancesDescription: This Xpeditions lesson asks students to consider the potential impacts of transnational organizations such as the United Nations and the European Union. Students consider the benefits of these organizations in existing nations and for a fictitious nation that is trying to decide whether to join an alliance of countries on its continent.Thinkfinity Partner: National Geographic EducationGrade Span: 6,7,8

Thinkfinity Interactive Games

Title: Xpedition Hall
Description:
Built around the National Geography Standards, Xpedition Hall is a virtual museum that is filled with interactive exhibits designed to provoke reflection on how human beings shape and are shaped by the world in which we live. The Hall contains one exhibit for each of standard, and groups these exhibits into six galleries, which correspond to the standards six underlying '' elements.'' Students use can use an image or map of the Hall to navigate through the exhibits.
Standard(s):

Subject: Social StudiesTitle: Xpedition HallDescription: Built around the National Geography Standards, Xpedition Hall is a virtual museum that is filled with interactive exhibits designed to provoke reflection on how human beings shape and are shaped by the world in which we live. The Hall contains one exhibit for each of standard, and groups these exhibits into six galleries, which correspond to the standards six underlying '' elements.'' Students use can use an image or map of the Hall to navigate through the exhibits.Thinkfinity Partner: National Geographic EducationGrade Span: K,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12

Thinkfinity Learning Activities

Title: Spice World
Description:
In this Xpeditions student activity, students create a map showing the origins of the spices and herbs that help flavor their favorite dishes. Related activities for parents to do with their children are also found on this page.
Standard(s): [SS2010] LWT2 (2) 6: Identify states, continents, oceans, and the equator using maps, globes, and technology.

Subject: Science - Meteorology - Social Studies - GeographyTitle: Spice WorldDescription: In this Xpeditions student activity, students create a map showing the origins of the spices and herbs that help flavor their favorite dishes. Related activities for parents to do with their children are also found on this page.Thinkfinity Partner: National Geographic EducationGrade Span: K,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12

Title: Raise the Flag for the European Union
Description:
In this Xpeditions student activity, students research the countries of the European Union (EU) and use this knowledge--along with their creativity--to create a flag for the EU. This activity asks students to consider the physical and cultural characteristics of member countries, existing maps, and other background information in order to come up with an appropriate combination of symbols to represent the EU member countries.
Standard(s): [SS2010] GEOG (7) 6: Illustrate how primary, secondary, and tertiary economic activities have specific functions and spatial patterns.

Subject: Social Studies - Current Events/Issues - Social Studies - Geography - Social Studies - World HistoryTitle: Raise the Flag for the European UnionDescription: In this Xpeditions student activity, students research the countries of the European Union (EU) and use this knowledge--along with their creativity--to create a flag for the EU. This activity asks students to consider the physical and cultural characteristics of member countries, existing maps, and other background information in order to come up with an appropriate combination of symbols to represent the EU member countries.Thinkfinity Partner: National Geographic EducationGrade Span: K,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12

Title: The Quest for Gold
Description:
In this Xpeditions student activity, students discover the value of gold, which has been important to trading throughout time. Students use an interactive map and make trade decisions as they take on the role of a Roman trader following the Silk Road en route to China.
Standard(s): [SS2010] WH8 (8) 6: Trace the expansion of the Roman Republic and its transformation into an empire, including key geographic, political, and economic elements.

Subject: Science - Geology - Science - Physical Sciences - Social Studies - Economics - Social Studies - GeographyTitle: The Quest for GoldDescription: In this Xpeditions student activity, students discover the value of gold, which has been important to trading throughout time. Students use an interactive map and make trade decisions as they take on the role of a Roman trader following the Silk Road en route to China.Thinkfinity Partner: National Geographic EducationGrade Span: K,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12

Title: Marco Polo
Description:
In this Xpeditions student activity, students retrace the steps of Marco Polo and discover what they can learn from the cultures they encounter along the way. They also consider what they might take home to share with friends and family.
Standard(s): [SS2010] WH8 (8) 16: Describe major cultural changes in Western Europe in the High Middle Ages (1000-1300 A.D.).

Subject: Social Studies - Geography - Social Studies - World HistoryTitle: Marco PoloDescription: In this Xpeditions student activity, students retrace the steps of Marco Polo and discover what they can learn from the cultures they encounter along the way. They also consider what they might take home to share with friends and family.Thinkfinity Partner: National Geographic EducationGrade Span: K,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12